Golden Bachelor Season 2 Kicks Off Amid Controversy and Dramatic Entrances

The highly anticipated second season of "The Golden Bachelor" premiered last night, immediately drawing attention to its new lead, Mel Owen, and a brewing controversy. Owen, a 66-year-old former NFL linebacker, faced significant "clapback" following a June podcast interview where he stated his dating preferences were "45 to 60, just being honest," and expressed a desire to "stay away from the artificial hips and wigs." Upon his arrival at the mansion, Owen delivered an emotional monologue, stating, "I messed up. I was wrong. I replay it in my head a lot. I have regrets, and I'm sorry for all the things I said on the podcast." He later apologized to the entire group, hoping to regain their trust. The premiere also featured a range of contestant introductions, from a former bomb technician to a woman whose twin sister from the previous season introduced her. A one-on-one date saw contestant Cheryl share a deeply personal and traumatic story about her ex-husband abandoning her during childbirth and later kidnapping their son. A group date, themed as the "Golden Cheer Championship," included a surprise appearance by Paula Abdul. The episode concluded with a dramatic pool party where contestant Nicole's behavior sparked tension among the women, leading to the first round of eliminations. The season promises to be "juicy," as described by one observer, with strong personalities and an early "villain" emerging.

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Who Does Mel Owens End Up with on 'Golden Bachelor'? Here's the Scoop (SPOILERS)

Season 2 of 'Golden Bachelor' started with some twists and turns. Who does 'Golden Bachelor' Mel Owens end up with?